WELSH smokers are more likely to be binge drinkers and have a poor diet, a new study claims today.

Research looked at the health profile of 13,000 adults in Wales, and compared current and former smokers to those who had never smoked.

The study by anti-smoking group ASH Wales in conjunction with the Cardiff Institute of Society and Health at Cardiff University, aimed to gain an understanding of the health status and behaviours of smokers in Wales today.

It found that while smokers were more likely to report having been treated for heart, respiratory and arthritic conditions than non-smokers, they were also more likely to admit drinking above the recommended guidelines.

More men than women reported both drinking above the limits of four units for men and three for women, and binge drinking limits of more than eight units for men, or six for women.

Smokers were also less likely to eat their five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, than both ex-smokers and those who had never smoked.

Female smokers were twice as likely as those who had never smoked to report suffering from a mental illness, and higher proportions of women (18%) than men (10%) reported being treated for some form of mental health condition, like depression or anxiety.

Dr Sarah Whitehead of the Cardiff Institute of Society and Health will present her findings to an international audience at the Smokefree Futures Tobacco Control Conference being held in Cardiff today and tomorrow.

She said: “The findings reinforce what we already know: smoking is linked to a number of illnesses and poor health behaviours.

“This will continue to be a problem for Wales unless more is done to reduce the smoking prevalence rates, which have remained at 24% since 2007.”

Tanya Buchanan, chief executive of ASH Wales said: “We have known for many years now that smoking is a major cause of ill health and associated with a number of chronic health conditions but this research also reveals the link between smoking and multiple health risks.”

She would urge First Minister Carwyn Jones, who is addressing the conference today, to examine the new evidence.

“Tobacco, alcohol, nutrition and fitness are all interlinked and are key areas requiring investment and positive action through a Health in all Policies approach which will return significant health benefits for the people of Wales,” she said.